Judging from the last regime, they dont give a flyin skiddoo about playoffs. However, there is a new regime here. Hopefully, they appreciate the positives of having a team that is good enough to get US TV love...

*sorry I should elaborate. The last regime turned the Leafs into a billion dollar franchise without seeing the playoffs for 7 years or so...those are the same people who hired BC.

being better in the future, could risk a loss of profit in the next quarter. It doesn't matter to them that one day they could be making a much bigger profit, if they lose out on profit in the near future (especially since nothing is for sure in this league) then they have a problem. Economic theory ftw!!

On one hand, I understand the frustration. If fans are unhappy about the team's performance, then they should stop supporting them (ie: not pay to attend games), in order to send ownership/management a message. Does that ever really work?

On the other hand, I think there are a lot of positives to be taken from this. As Toronto tries to build itself into an NBA free agent destination, having a loyal, supportive fanbase can be a great drawing card. Despite a poor record, in the face of a weak economy, playing for the Raptors means you still play in front of a good home crowd. A good home crows is great for building morale of young players and also provides the team with a homecourt advantage.

It could very well also just mean that a lot of Raptors fans are satisfied with a rebuilding team that's loaded with young talent, who are highly competitive on most nights. Obviously the rebuild/build is nowhere near completion, but perhaps more level-headed fans realize that the young kids need/deserve loyal fan support, even if those same fans feel disdain for management not producing results as fast as we'd hoped. There's a reason rebuiling/building is called a process; it's not an overnight thing, or even a one/two season fix. Most fans wanted a rebuild and we've got it, so I don't get the outcry while we're struggling during that process (it was/should have been expected).

I'm proud of Toronto Raptors fans filling the ACC to support OUR team!

I agree that if the ACC was a ghost town most nights, MLSE might feel a bit more pressure to make some drastic changes.

Now whether "drastic changes" are good changes....that's a whole different ballgame....

The problem with Toronto fans (Raps or Leafs especially) trying to send a message that way, is that even if they don't show up, MLSE is unlike to even feel it financially because so many seats are corporately owned. Empty seats that are already paid for, fail to deliver a financial-based message.

Well, there are two ways to interpret this thread: either it relates to ownership or to the GM. If it's the GM not building the team properly because he still puts asses in the seats, then yeah I consider that a conspiracy theory because it doesn't pass the smell test at all. The man's job is on the line in the near future and I would think his history of dealing should show you he's a lot more interested in trying to win now than he is in letting the team languish along.

If you're talking about ownership then I could buy that if we were the Bulls, who refuse to spend into the tax despite the fact that they obviously could and should. I could also buy it if the OTPP still had a controlling stake, because they didn't spend when the team was employing Bosh and setting it's sights on playoff runs.

But since Rogers purchased that stake in 2010 there has been zero reason for ownership to sign off on going over the cap and possibly into the tax. You're essentially pre-judging them based on how the previous owners behaved.

Consider that the controlling interest in the team is now a media company that would benefit ENORMOUSLY from building the Raptors into a better brand with consistent playoff appearances. Ticket revenue is just a fraction of the revenue pie. If the times to spend comes and ownership fails to step up to the plate, then go ahead and judge them. Until then, you're passin out the tin foil hats.

I don't think any owner would be fully satisfied with healthy attendance and a lousy record. And as many people have posted on many threads here, it's really hard to be a contender if you're not in one of the major US markets.

Having said that, our MLSE hockey cousins are in one of the major hockey markets, and they have just as much trouble competing. So is it MLSE's fault, bad luck, or a combination? Who knows.

Whatever the case, I think we can all agree that Pietrus will make everything better.